3 Stocks Dragging In The Energy Industry

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model

All three major indices are trading up today with the Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI) trading up 57 points (0.4%) at 14,513 as of Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 12:50 PM ET. The NYSE advances/declines ratio sits at 2,058 issues advancing vs. 849 declining with 127 unchanged.

TheStreet Ratings group would like to highlight 3 stocks pushing the industry lower today:

3. BP ( BP) is one of the companies pushing the Energy industry lower today. As of noon trading, BP is down $0.19 (-0.5%) to $40.81 on average volume Thus far, 3.0 million shares of BP exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 7.1 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $40.68-$41.04 after having opened the day at $40.98 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $41.00.

BP p.l.c. provides fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, lubricants to engines, and petrochemicals products. BP has a market cap of $129.7 billion and is part of the basic materials sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 406.6, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 1.5% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are 7 analysts that rate BP a buy, 1 analyst rates it a sell, and 6 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates BP as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its attractive valuation levels, good cash flow from operations and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity and poor profit margins. Get the full BP Ratings Report now.

2. As of noon trading, Chesapeake Energy ( CHK) is down $0.35 (-1.7%) to $20.69 on average volume Thus far, 9.3 million shares of Chesapeake Energy exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 15.3 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $20.52-$20.80 after having opened the day at $20.56 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $21.04.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of natural gas and oil properties in the United States. The company also offers marketing, midstream, drilling, and other oilfield services. Chesapeake Energy has a market cap of $14.8 billion and is part of the basic materials sector. Shares are up 26.6% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are 9 analysts that rate Chesapeake Energy a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 17 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Chesapeake Energy as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth and expanding profit margins. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity and weak operating cash flow. Get the full Chesapeake Energy Ratings Report now.

1. As of noon trading, Halliburton Company ( HAL) is down $0.46 (-1.2%) to $39.16 on average volume Thus far, 7.4 million shares of Halliburton Company exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 11.1 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $38.87-$40.12 after having opened the day at $40.00 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $39.62.

Halliburton Company provides a range of services and products for the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas. The company operates in two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. Halliburton Company has a market cap of $38.0 billion and is part of the basic materials sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 14.7, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 14.2% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are 21 analysts that rate Halliburton Company a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 5 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Halliburton Company as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, attractive valuation levels, good cash flow from operations and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income. Get the full Halliburton Company Ratings Report now.

A reminder about TheStreet Ratings group: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

The atmosphere at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston was ecstatic Thursday as oil prices are finally in a stable realm in which producers can increase profitability and begin to think about how to return cash to shareholders.